Regenerative Farm Network | northjerseyrcd

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The Regenerative Farm Network

A place to exchange knowledge and ideas.

North Jersey RC&D has created the Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) as a place for farmers to learn and exchange knowledge regarding regenerative and climate-smart farm practices. Through RFN-NJ, farmers can receive technical assistance, training opportunities, speaker-development and farmer-to-farmer networking. A subset of participants in RFN-NJ will be guided and mentored to serve as regional conservation leaders. All are welcome and encouraged to join! Historically underserved farmers will be prioritized for technical assistance and training.

What Will Participants Gain?

North Jersey RC&D will work with partners to provide:

Participation in educational workshops, field days, and meetings.
- Topics may include mitigation strategies for dealing with increased severe weather; rotational grazing; available farm loans and financial assistance; etc. Members will have input on the content they would like delivered.

Informative farmer-led walks/farm visits.

1:1 Technical assistance.

An opportunity for development to become a regional conservation leader. This will include stipends for time spent for training and training opportunities through the Regional Leadership Training and Steering Commitee.

more about the
regenerative farm network

Who can join?

RFN-NJ is open to all farmers interested in learning about climate-smart conservation practices for their farms. Currently, content will be tailored towards small- to mid-sized producers in the northern New Jersey counties of Hunterdon, Morris, Mercer, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren. Historically underserved farmers will have priority for technical assistance and mentorship through the program.

What is a historically underserved farmer?

Historically underserved farmers and ranchers include beginner, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers and ranchers. You can learn more clicking here.

What is the purpose of the Regenerative Farm Network?

There is a growing need to provide farmers with the technical expertise and tools to build climate resiliency. Farmers are facing more frequent, intense storms and unpredictable weather. The prices of inputs are sky-rocketing. Implementing regenerative, climate-smart and soil health practices can be a tool to help mitigate those pressures and build farm resilience. The RFN-NJ will assist farmers by providing a network of peers and technical experts to learn from and share knowledge around building farm resilience.

What will be the role of the Steering Committee and Regional Leadership Training (SC/RLT) participants?

It is important to foster leaders who can serve as a continued resource in New Jersey for farmer-to-farmer learning. A few RFN-NJ members will be selected to receive mentorship and training to support their education and development as part of the Regional Leadership Training Initiative. This will include supporting their attendance at training events and speaker/outreach opportunities. These same members will serve on the RFN-NJ Steering Committee and provide input and guidance on the direction of RFN-NJ.

How can I join?

Joining is simple. You can click the 'Join' button at the bottom of the webpage or contact sloscalzo@northjerseyrcd.org.

How is RFN funded?

This work is supported by the Conservation Outreach: Equity through Cooperative Agreements grant through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

More Details

Haven't joined RFN yet? Click the 'Join' button below to fill out a short membership form.

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Upcoming Events & Opportunities

One-to-One Technical Assistance & Soil Testing

Apply now for One-to-One Technical Assistance and Soil Sampling Opportunities including:

Annual Farm Budget Preparation
Technical Assistance to Implement Conservation Practices
Nutrient Management Planning
Soil Testing

First Round of Applications close Monday, Feb. 13th, 2023. Rolling basis thereafter.

Learn more here.

Events

RFN-NJ
Steering Committee & Regional Leadership TraininG

It is important that farmers are directly involved in shaping RFN-NJ. Six members of RFN-NJ have been selected to be part of the Steering Committee to provide guidance and shape RFN-NJ.

To foster leaders who can serve as a continued resource for farmer-to-farmer learning, the Steering Committee members will also be part of the Regional Leadership Training Initiative. The Steering Committee will receive mentorship and training to support their education and development into Regional Leaders for regenerative agriculture as part of the Regional Leadership Training Initiative.